Hearing loss decisions — 2018

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his work history and income. Additional records are needed, including updated VA treatment records and a completed VA Form 21-8940.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete records and the need for clarification of private examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating for PTSD have been denied. The Veteran has no more than Level I hearing loss in both ears, which corresponds to a noncompensable disability rating. For his PTSD, the Board found that the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a 100% rating due to total occupational and social impairment.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to his death.

The Veteran's tinnitus and right ear hearing loss are granted service connection, while his left ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for bilateral tinnitus is established due to in-service noise exposure. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is also established based on in-service noise exposure.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to August 26, 2016 was denied. From August 26, 2016 onwards, the Veteran received a 10 percent disability rating for his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability due to new and material evidence, but it is remanded for a VA audiology evaluation to determine the nature and etiology of the disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of entitlement to a compensable disability rating for service-connected right ear hearing loss due to an inadequate January 2015 VA examination. The Veteran's representative requested a new examination as the previous one was not reflective of his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, low back disorder, and bilateral knee disorders due to lack of evidence supporting a direct relationship with service. The Veteran's VA examinations did not provide sufficient information on the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, hearing loss, and tinnitus due to lack of VA examination records and incomplete medical history. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant records, including from the Veteran’s correctional facility, schedule appropriate examinations, and attempt to coordinate with the Veteran's correctional facility for a video conference hearing.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because his service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service records are unclear and incomplete, particularly regarding his specific dates of service. The claims for hip pain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and right knee arthralgia with limited flexion are being remanded to obtain clarification on these issues.

The Veteran's pleural plaques claimed as a lung condition are granted with a disability rating of 30 percent, effective September 7, 2017. The Veteran's hearing loss is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of hearing loss. The claim for a compensable rating for his service-connected right knee disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the previous VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD due to the lack of credible supporting evidence of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss was also denied as there is no audiometric data showing entitlement to a higher rating.

The Veteran's hearing loss disability is being remanded for a new VA audiological examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The Veteran's varicose veins claim is remanded for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the issues of a compensable rating for right ear sensorineural hearing loss and a rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, diabetes mellitus type 2 (to include as secondary to service-connected lumbar spine IVDS and DDD), and a rating in excess of 20 percent prior to August 9, 2017, and in excess of 40 percent from August 9, 2017, for lumbar spine IVDS and DDD. The AOJ is directed to obtain additional personnel records, an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's diabetes, a new examination to determine the severity of his lumbar spine disability, and an examination to determine whether he has bowel or bladder impairment.